Fuel storage tank protection system

ABSTRACT

A Fuel Storage Tank Protection System that maintains the thermal stability for oil-fired heating systems with above ground oil storage tanks. This device maintains a system fluid temperature through a series of functions. When a thermal sensor detects a drop in fluid temperature in the above ground oil storage tank and the oil-fired heating system is operating, a switching device and temperature controller supplies heating power to the fluid heating coil. When a prescribed temperature of the fluid is achieved, the device deactivates until the next drop in fluid temperature is detected. The fluid temperature is maintained through the de-active cycle with a protective, thermally insulating oil tank blanket.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

There is a need to protect fuel stored within outdoor tanks from freezing or gelling and becoming unusable for their intended purpose. These fuel storage tanks hold fuel used for various applications such as building heating systems, back up generators, fuels stored for vehicle usage, etc. Many of these outdoor fuel storage tanks contain various amounts of water that will freeze and not allow the fuel to be extracted from the bottom of the tank. Some of the fuels stored within these outdoor storage tanks will become more viscous at lower temperatures and will become difficult to extract from the tank. In particular, the new Biofuels and Biofuel blends being used for building heating systems, back up generators and vehicle usage will become more viscous and unusable at lower temperatures.

The current invention provides low temperature fuel storage tank protection by maintaining a particular viscosity range and physical state of the fuels stored within these outdoor storage tanks. The current invention will maintain a particular viscosity range by maintaining the temperature of the fuel. The current invention will also allow the fuel to remain in a fluid physical state rather then a semi solid or solid state by maintaining the temperature of the fuel.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The Fuel Storage Tank Protection System is comprised of four main elements: the “temperature/time controller and sensor”, the “pump unit”, the “heating coil” and the “enclosure”.

The Fuel Storage Tank Protection System is described as an enclosure that contains a temperature/time controller and sensor, pump unit, and a heating coil. The basic operation of the system is that on initial power up, the temperature/timer controller activates the pump unit and heating coil for approximately five minutes to determine the temperature of the fuel stored within the tank by use of the sensor. If the temperature of the fuel is determined to be below the set point of the temperature/timer controller, the system continues to operate until the fuel temperature is above the set point plus any programmed differential. If the temperature of the fuel is determined to be above the set point of the temperature/timer controller, the pump unit and heating coil are disabled and the temperature/timer controller begins a timing cycle for approximately one hour with the pump unit and heating coil disabled. After the one hour timing cycle is complete, the temperature/timer controller enables the pump unit and heating coil for approximately five minutes to again determine the temperature of the fuel. If the fuel is determined to be below the set point of the temperature/timer controller, the system continues to operate until the fuel temperature is above the set point plus any programmed differential. If the fuel is determined to be above the set point of the temperature/timer controller, the system begins the one hour timing cycle again. The Fuel Storage Tank Protection System continues these cycles to protect the fuel stored within the storage tank. The four main components of the Oil Tank Thermal Stability System are summarized below.

The “temperature/time controller and sensor” performs four functions. First, the device maintains the set point temperature and differential and compares this set point temperature with the sensed temperature. Secondly, the device performs the timing function to query the temperature of the fuel within the tank along with the timing function in between these query cycles. Thirdly, the device performs the sensing function to determine the temperature of the fuel within the tank. Fourthly, the device switches electrical power to the pump unit and heating coil as required during the appropriate cycles.

The “pump unit” performs the function of circulating the fuel from the storage tank, through the heating coil and returning the fuel to the storage tank. The pump unit is controlled by and obtains electrical power from the temperature/time controller.

The “heating coil” performs the function of heating the fuel stored within the storage tank as required during the appropriate cycles. The heating coil is controlled by and obtains electrical power from the temperature/time controller. The heating coil consists of heat transfer tubing wrapped or in contact with a heating element such as an electrical silicone laminate heater.

The “enclosure” houses the temperature/time controller, pump unit and heating coil. The enclosure performs the function of providing a secure environment to house the above components along with providing inlet and exit ports to enable the Fuel Storage Tank Protection System to be connected to the fuel storage tank. The enclosure also houses and contains the component wiring, power switch and electrical terminal interconnection block. The enclosure also provides a means for mounting the Fuel Storage Tank Protection System.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1A is an exploded assembly view of one embodiment of the Fuel Storage Tank Protection System.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION Detailed Function of System (See FIG. 1A):

-   -   Initial power up by moving power switch (1) to “ON” position;     -   Temperature/timer controller (2) supplies power to pump unit (3)         and heating coil (4) for approximately five minutes;     -   After approximately five minutes the sensor (5) determines         temperature of input fluid;     -   If the temperature of the sensed fuel is determined to be below         the temperature/timer controller (2) set point, the system         continues to operate until the fuel temperature is above the set         point plus any programmed differential;     -   If the temperature of the fuel is determined to be above the set         point of the temperature/timer controller (2), the pump unit and         heating coil are disabled and the temperature/timer controller         (2) begins a timing cycle for approximately one hour with the         pump unit and heating coil disabled;     -   After the one hour timing cycle is complete, the         temperature/timer controller (2) enables the pump unit and         heating coil for approximately five minutes to again determine         the temperature of the fuel;     -   If the temperature of the sensed fuel is determined to be below         the temperature/timer controller (2) set point, the system         continues to operate until the fuel temperature is above the set         point plus any programmed differential;     -   If the temperature of the fuel is determined to be above the set         point of the temperature/timer controller (2), the pump unit and         heating coil are disabled and the temperature/timer controller         (2) begins a timing cycle for approximately one hour with the         pump unit and heating coil disabled;     -   The Fuel Storage Tank Protection System continues these cycles         to protect the fuel stored within the storage tank.

Detailed Description of the Components of the System (See FIG. 1A):

The “temperature/time controller (2) and sensor (5)” is an electronic circuit board assembly that contains temperature sensing circuit(s), time controlling circuit(s), an electronic relay and wire connection facilities.

The “pump unit (3)” is an oscillating style pump with an inlet and outlet connection. The pump unit also provides electrical connections to receive electrical power from the temperature/time controller (2).

The “heating coil (4)” is constructed from a heat transfer tubing material such as copper or aluminum and is configured to connect to the inlet/outlet ports installed within the enclosure (6). The heating coil also contains a heating element such as a silicone laminate heater that may be wrapped around the heat transfer tubing.

The “enclosure (6)” houses the temperature/time controller (2), pump unit (3) and heating coil (4). The enclosure contains a lower portion or base (7) and upper portion or cover (8). Mounted within the enclosure are the inlet/outlet port connectors (9) the enable the Fuel Storage Tank Protection System to interface with the fuel storage tank. Also mounted within the enclosure is the component wiring (10), power switch (1) and electrical terminal interconnection block (11). The enclosure is installed with the use of mounting brackets (12). 

1. A fuel storage tank protection system, comprising: a heating coil comprising a fluid coil surrounded by a heating element within an enclosure, the enclosure having respective apertures for interfacing with an inlet and an outlet of the fluid coil; a time and temperature controller device configured to selectively provide power to the heating elements of the heating coil and pump unit in response to the oil tank or oil inlet line oil temperature sensed by the temperature sensor being below a predefined first set point; a pump unit to circulate oil from the storage tank through the heating coil and temperature sensor and back to the storage tank.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the time and temperature controller device will enable the fuel storage tank protection system for approximately five minutes every hour to query the temperature of the stored fuel.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the time and temperature controller device is configured to provide power to the heating elements until the oil tank or oil inlet line oil temperature sensed by the temperature sensor rises above a predefined second set point.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the second set point is adjustable.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the system will protect the fuel within the fuel storage tank by maintaining the fuel in a fluid physical state rather then a semi solid or solid state by maintaining the temperature of the fuel.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the pump unit is external of the enclosure and the time and temperature controller device is replaced by a snap or creep action thermostat.
 7. A fuel storage tank protection system, comprising: a heating coil comprising a fluid coil surrounded by a heating element within an enclosure, the enclosure having respective apertures for interfacing with an inlet and an outlet of the fluid coil that is mounted directly on a single port of the fuel storage tank; a time and temperature controller device configured to selectively provide power to the heating elements of the heating coil and pump unit in response to the oil tank or oil inlet line oil temperature sensed by the temperature sensor being below a predefined first set point; a pump unit to circulate oil from the storage tank through the heating coil and temperature sensor and back to the storage tank.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the time and temperature controller device will enable the fuel storage tank protection system for approximately five minutes every hour to query the temperature of the stored fuel.
 9. The system of claim 7, wherein the time and temperature controller device is configured to provide power to the heating elements until the oil tank or oil inlet line oil temperature sensed by the temperature sensor rises above a predefined second set point.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the second set point is adjustable.
 11. The system of claim 7, wherein the system will protect the fuel within the fuel storage tank by maintaining the fuel in a fluid physical state rather then a semi solid or solid state by maintaining the temperature of the fuel. 